CHARLOTTE, NC – Aug. 27, 2013 — FairPoint Communications, Inc. (NasdaqCM: FRP), a leading provider of advanced communications across 17 states, has applied for $3.3 million from the Federal Communications Commission’s Connect America Fund to bring high-speed Internet to more than 5,490 locations. The CAF funding, along with FairPoint’s own additional investment, will bring high-speed internet access to more than 15,000 locations.

The funding will enable FairPoint to provide high-speed broadband service to those high-cost unserved and underserved locations in its largely rural markets that qualify under the Connect America Fund guidelines. FairPoint will make its own additional investment to supplement the federal funding.

FairPoint now has more than 15,000 miles of fiber throughout its northern New England footprint and reaches more than 95 percent of business locations. The company has earned a “best-in-class” reputation in providing Ethernet backhaul service to wireless providers in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

In Maine, FairPoint plans to expand and upgrade broadband Internet to approximately 6,000 locations in 45 towns of which 1,659 locations qualify for CAF funding. In New Hampshire, approximately 7,000 locations in 18 towns will see enhancements of which 1,470 locations qualify for CAF funding. FairPoint also plans to expand and upgrade broadband Internet to approximately 2,360 CAF-qualified locations across its markets in New York, Washington, Virginia, Kansas, Pennsylvania and Florida. The Connect America Fund project buildout will span three years.